Air gun pellet cartridge

ABSTRACT

A pellet cartridge that includes a cartridge tube designed to contain a plurality of pellets dispersed by an air gun, an end cap attached to the cartridge tube to permanently seal the first end of the cartridge tube and a removable end cap attached to the second end of the cartridge tube to seal the second end of the cartridge tube. The removable end cap is removed from the second end of the cartridge tube to load the cartridge tube with the plurality of pellets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is a pellet cartridge. More specifically, the present invention is an air gun pellet cartridge.

2. Description of the Related Art

Pellets for air guns are commonly packaged in bulk form in tins or plastic containers. During handling the pellets can be damaged or deformed in the bulk packaging containers caused by pellets contacting the container and other pellets. Damaged and deformed pellets reduce the accuracy and velocity when used in an air gun. In addition, the current containers are cumbersome to use as the lid needs to be removed, the pellet removed from the container, the lid replaced, and the pellet inserted in the breech of the air gun. If a pellet loading device is being used it is still the case that the pellets are loaded individually into the pellet loader. The pellet cartridge described herein will eliminate any damage to the pellets during handling, will facilitate the loading of any pellet loading device, and will protect the pellet so it retains its designed shape.

There are currently pellet holding devices that are loaded individually from the pellet containers and pellets are then loaded by hand into the air gun breech. These devices do not prevent the damage or deformation to the pellets in the pellet container and they are not designed to facilitate the loading of pellet loading devices.

The pellet cartridge resolves the problem of damage to the pellets during handling by containing the pellets and nesting them so as to prevent the pellets from being damaged by other pellets or the container. The pellets are inserted into the pellet cartridge during the manufacture of the pellets and are constrained adequately during shipping and subsequent handling to prevent any deformation or damage to the pellet. Since there are multiple pellets contained in the cartridge, loading a pellet loading device is facilitated as multiple pellets are loaded in a single operation rather than one pellet at a time as is now the practice.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a pellet cartridge. More specifically, the present invention is an air gun pellet cartridge and method of manufacturing.

The pellet cartridge includes a cartridge tube having a first end, a second end and a tubular interior, the cartridge tube designed to contain a plurality of pellets dispersed by an air gun, an end cap attached to the first end of the cartridge tube to permanently seal the first end of the cartridge tube and a removable end cap attached to the second end of the cartridge tube to seal the second end of the cartridge tube, the removable end cap is removed from the second end of the cartridge tube to load the cartridge tube with a plurality of pellets.

One or more pellet cartridges can be carried in the field without the pellets incurring any damage and allows a more quiet and convenient way to load a pellet loading device. Since the pellets are nested in the cartridge, the noise of the pellets rattling in the container is eliminated making for a more quiet condition when hunting. With multiple pellets in a cartridge, loading of the pellet loading device is sped-up over the single pellet loading currently done. The pellet cartridge also eliminates the need to handle the pellets which eliminates lead contamination on the hands of the loader.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an air gun pellet cartridge that can be carried in the field without the pellets in the air gun pellet cartridge incurring any damage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an air gun pellet cartridge that allows a more quiet and convenient way to load a pellet loading device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an air gun pellet cartridge that eliminates the need to handle a plurality of air gun pellet cartridge pellets which eliminates lead contamination on the hands of the loader.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an air gun pellet cartridge, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded side view of an air gun pellet cartridge, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an air gun pellet cartridge, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an air gun pellet cartridge and a pellet loading device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention however the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.

The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a pellet cartridge 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The pellet cartridge 100 includes a cartridge tube 110, an end cap 120 and a removable end cap 130. The cartridge tube 110 is an elongated cylindrical-shaped tube 112 with a first end 114 and a second end 116. The cartridge tube 110 can be designed to contain a plurality of pellets 118 to be dispersed by an air gun or other suitable type of device. The cartridge tube 110 can be manufactured from various materials such as metal, plastic, fiber or other suitable material. The end cap 120 can be attached to the first end 114 of the cartridge tube 110 to permanently seal the first end 114 of the cartridge tube 110. An end plug 140 can also be attached to the first end 114 of the cartridge tube 110 to permanently seal the first end 114 of the cartridge tube 110. The removable end cap 130 can be attached to the second end 116 of the cartridge tube 110 to seal the second end 116 of the cartridge tube 110. The removable end cap 130 can be removed from the second end 116 of the cartridge tube 110 to load the cartridge tube 110 with the plurality of pellets 118. A removable end plug 150 can be attached to the second end 116 of the cartridge tube 110 to seal the second end 116 of the cartridge tube 110. The removable end plug 150 can be removed from the second end 116 of the cartridge tube 110 to load the cartridge tube 110 with the plurality of pellets 118.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded side view of a pellet cartridge 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The pellet cartridge 100 includes a cartridge tube 110 and a plurality of pellets 118. The cartridge tube 110 has a tubular interior 111. The tubular interior 111 of the cartridge tube 110 contains the plurality of pellets 118 near the second end 116 of the cartridge tube 110. FIG. 2 illustrates one pellet 118 contained near the second end 116 of the cartridge tube 110, although the tubular interior 111 of the cartridge tube 110 can contain more than one pellet 118.

One or more pellet cartridges can be carried in the field without the plurality of pellets incurring any damage and allows a more quiet and convenient way to load a pellet loading device. Since the plurality of pellets is nested in the pellet cartridge, the noise of the plurality of pellets rattling in the container is eliminated making for a more quiet condition when hunting. With the plurality of pellets in a pellet cartridge, loading of the pellet loading device is sped-up over the single pellet loading currently done. The pellet cartridge also eliminates the need to handle the plurality of pellets which eliminates lead contamination on the hands of the person loading the pellet loader.

The pellet cartridge can be used as an alternative to the current bulk containers, including tins, plastic tubes and fiber containers. The pellet cartridge can be packaged with multiple pellet cartridges in a metal, plastic or fiber container and the pellet cartridges removed for use as required. The pellet cartridge can be carried on the person in one or more pockets, or loaded into a device worn on a belt or a lanyard. The pellet cartridge can be used to load a pellet loading device with the plurality of pellets as well.

One method of manufacturing the pellet cartridge is to use three parts, an end cap or an end plug, a removable end seal or a removable plug, and a cartridge tube. The cartridge tube is a thin walled hollow cylinder of adequate inside diameter to accommodate a plurality of pellets. The tube can be manufactured from various materials including metal, plastic, or fiber, and can be made using any number of processes including but not limited to molding, turning, extruding, casting or stamping. The end cap can be a hollow cylinder with one closed end and is sized to fit over the outside diameter of the cartridge tube or it can be a plug fitted over the inside diameter of the cartridge tube. The end cap can be made from various materials including plastic, metal, rubber, or fiber. It can be manufactured using various techniques including but not limited to molding, casting, turning, drawing, or stamping. The removable end seal or plug is similar in design to the end cap or the plug, except it can be easily removed from the cartridge tube and it may include a tab to facilitate removal.

Another method of manufacturing the pellet cartridge would be manufacturing a single piece made up of the cartridge tube only. In this case the tube could be various materials including but not limited to plastic, metal or fiber. The end caps would be replaced by crimping the tube ends at one or both ends.

During the manufacture of the plurality of pellets the pellet cartridges are loaded. The end cap or plug is permanently assembled to the cartridge tube, or in the case of the single piece design, one end of the tube is crimped. The plurality of pellets is then loaded axially in the open end of the cartridge tube oriented with the plurality of pellets facing the open end of the cartridge tube. The cartridge tube can be loaded with pellets off the pellet manufacturing machine directly, or it can be loaded using vibratory orientation devices, or loaded manually. After the plurality of pellets is loaded into the cartridge tube, the cartridge tube is either crimped, in the case of the single piece cartridge tube, or the removable end cap or plug is installed to hold the plurality of pellets in place in the cartridge tube.

The completed pellet cartridges can then be loaded in another container with multiple pellet cartridges in each container. When used, the pellet cartridges are removed from the container. The removable end cap or plug is detached from the cartridge tube. If a single pellet is required, a pellet is removed from the cartridge tube and the end cap or the plug is replaced. If a pellet loader is to be loaded, the cartridge tube is aligned with the opening of the pellet loader, the cartridge tube is held in a vertical position axially in line with the pellet loader, and all of the plurality of pellets is transferred from the cartridge tube into the pellet loader. The removable end cap and cartridge tube can then be discarded.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a pellet cartridge 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The pellet cartridge 100 can include one or more crimped ends 160. The crimped end 160 can be removably attached to the first end 114 of the cartridge tube 110 and/or removably attached to the second end 116 of the cartridge tube 110 to replace the end cap 120 attached to the first end 114. The crimped end 160 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a six prong star-shape 162, although the crimped end 160 can be any suitable number of prongs or crimp shape. The crimped end 160 can be removed by picking the crimped end 160 out of the pellet cartridge 100, or by grasping a tag (not shown) attached to the crimped end 160 or any other suitable removal method. The crimped end 160 can also be displaced by squeezing thereby providing an opening allowing the pellets to exit the pellet cartridge tube 110.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a pellet cartridge 100 and a pellet loading device 170, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

When used, the pellet cartridges 100 are removed from the container. The removable end cap or plug 130 is detached from the cartridge tube 110. If a single pellet is required, a pellet 118 is removed from the cartridge tube 110 and the end cap or plug 130 is replaced. If a pellet loader 170 is to be loaded, the cartridge tube 110 is aligned with the second end of the pellet loader 174, the cartridge tube 110 is held in a vertical position axially in line with the pellet loader 170, and the plurality of pellets is transferred from the cartridge tube 110 into the pellet loader 170. The removable end cap 130 and cartridge tube 110 can then be discarded.

While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pellet cartridge, comprising: a cartridge tube having a first end, a second end and a tubular interior, the cartridge tube designed to contain a plurality of pellets dispersed by an air gun; an end cap attached to the first end of the cartridge tube to permanently seal the first end of the cartridge tube; and a removable end cap attached to the second end of the cartridge tube to seal the second end of the cartridge tube, the removable end cap is removed from the second end of the cartridge tube to load the cartridge tube with the plurality of pellets.
 2. The pellet cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge tube is an elongated cylindrical-shaped tube.
 3. The pellet cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge tube is made of metal.
 4. The pellet cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge tube is made of plastic.
 5. The pellet cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge tube is made of fiber.
 6. The pellet cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the tubular interior of the cartridge tube contains the plurality of pellets near the second end of the cartridge tube.
 7. A pellet cartridge, comprising: a cartridge tube having a first end, a second end and a tubular interior, the cartridge tube designed to contain a plurality of pellets dispersed by an air gun; a plug attached to the first end of the cartridge tube to permanently seal the first end of the cartridge tube; and a removable plug attached to the second end of the cartridge tube to seal the second end of the cartridge tube, the removable plug is removed from the second end of the cartridge tube to load the cartridge tube with the plurality of pellets.
 8. The pellet cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the cartridge tube is an elongated cylindrical-shaped tube.
 9. The pellet cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the cartridge tube is made of metal.
 10. The pellet cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the cartridge tube is made of plastic.
 11. The pellet cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the cartridge tube is made of fiber.
 12. The pellet cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the tubular interior of the cartridge tube contains the plurality of pellets near the second end of the cartridge tube.
 13. A pellet cartridge, comprising: a cartridge tube having a first end, a second end and a tubular interior, the cartridge tube designed to contain a plurality of pellets dispersed by an air gun; a selected one of a closed end and a crimped end attached to the first end of the cartridge tube to permanently seal the first end of the cartridge tube; and a removable crimp attached to the second end of the cartridge tube to seal the second end of the cartridge tube, the removable crimp on the second end of the cartridge tube is installed after the pellets are loaded into the cartridge tube.
 14. The pellet cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the cartridge tube is an elongated cylindrical-shaped tube.
 15. The pellet cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the cartridge tube is made of metal.
 16. The pellet cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the cartridge tube is made of plastic.
 17. The pellet cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the cartridge tube is made of fiber.
 18. The pellet cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the tubular interior of the cartridge tube contains the plurality of pellets near the second end of the cartridge tube.
 19. The pellet cartridge according to claim 13, further comprising a selected one of a cap and a plug is attached to the second end of the cartridge tube to seal the second end of the cartridge tube.
 20. The pellet cartridge according to claim 19, wherein the selected one of a cap and a plug is removed from the second end of the cartridge tube to load the cartridge tube with the plurality of pellets. 